Form for concrete structures.



G. Nx MESERVE.

Pom FUR CONCRETE STHUCTL APPLXGATICN TILED JULY 2l, lJll.

Patnted D90. 1, 1914.

SHEETSMSHEET L G. N. MESBRVE.

FORM PoR CONCRETE STRUCTURES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1911. Y

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

3 SHEETSBHEBT 2` G. N. MESBRVE.

FORM POR CQNGRBTE STRUCTURES.

APPLLCATION FILED JULY 21` 1911.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

3 SHEETSASHBET 3.

GEORGE N. MESERVE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FORM FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES.

Application tiled July 21, 1911.

To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE N. MEsEavE, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Forms for Concrete Structures, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in explainin its nature i y invention relates to that type of sectional form which consists of a series of parts or units assembled to form a wall presenting a facing against which cement is laid and allowed to harden after which the form is disassembled leaving the concrete structure intact. Usually the Vform consists of adjacent spaced walls between which the cement is run or laid.

The objects of my invention are several; anion of re atively right, thin metal plates that can easily be handled and admit of repeated use without undue wear, and essentially plates made to possess as nearly absolute inflexibility as possible for if flexibility reside in the unitary plates it is practically impossible to eliminate such from the complete foutu-"The importance of this can be better appreciated whencit is realized that whatever imperfection may exist in the form by reason of undue flexibility of its parts such imperfection is reflected in the molded structure.

t Another object of my invention is to pro vide an improved means for combining the unitary plates, or. in other words, for securing them to one another. It is of course necessary that the plates be so combined as to present a smooth, continuous bearing face, which means that they must be combined with practically absolute precision. A

skilled workman might accomplish this, but

it is my object to provide such means that the units or plates may be properly combined by unskilled labor. that is, by providing such means of fastening that the combination of the plates resolves itself into a purely mechanical operation in which experience or jndgment plays no part.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved means for obtaining the spaced retention of the units or plates when combined and essentially one that can be removed from the molded concrete strnc- Specication of Letters Patent.

them is to provide units consisting Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Serial No. 639,751.

plate is reinforced as will be explained. Eig "l 3 is a side elevation of aportion ofcne of the units or plates together witlrthe anglebars secured thereto and the fastening for combining the same. Figl is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a Section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7'is a side elevation of a. portion of one of the connecting bars of the form to which reference will hereinafter be made. Figs. 8-and 9 are side elevations of the fastenings for these bars, showing the relative changed' ositions of these fastenings. Fi 10 is a view mainly in plan of a portion o said bar and .fastening cooperating therewith together with a, portion of one of the space blocks to which reference will hereinafter be made, and Figs. 11 and .l2 show mainly in side elevation different adjusted positions of the fastening device shown in Fig. 3 together withlportions of the plates or units and angle-bars allixed thereto with which the bars are adapted to cooperate.

Referring to the drawings :-1 represents the units or plates of which the form is made or built up. These units are preferably made of galvanized sheet steel of any snitable size and form depending upon the work to be done. In ordinary practice each unit is made of 20 age sheet. steel and about two feet square. Each of thev units or plates is reinforced or stilfened in the following manner: Running around the back of each plate adjacent its edges is an angle-bar 2. This angle-bar is right'angular in cross section having two flanges 3 and Ll, respectively. Of these flanges the. flange 3 is affixed to the piate, being preferably riveted thereto,

vwhile. the flange 4 projects outwardly at ri ht angles from the edge of the plate. Tie angle-bar is continuous, that is, it runs around the entire edge of the plate and its ends are fastened together in any suitable manner as by an angular piece 5 riveted theretoA The location of the angle-bar is alsojsuch that the outer side or face of its ange fl which projects from the plate will be just flush with the edges of the plate. Each plate is further reinforced by crossed braces 6 which run diagonally across the back of the plate toengage thediagonally opposite corners of the anglebar secured to it and at which points the ends of 'the braces are turned in opposite directions to extend for some little distance along the flanges 4 of theiron bar and to which the turned ends of the braces are secured, preferably`b57 riveting. These braces act not only to strengthen and reinforce the plate itself and prevent lateral and torsional bending, but also aHord very material assistance to the angle-bar, in other words, forming therewith an exceedingly stiff frame or backing for each of the-respective plates.

T he assembling of the units or plates is accomplished by securing the plates edgewise to one another in the following manner: rl`he flanges` 4 of the angle-bars adjacent all four edges of the respective plates are each provided with spa-ced slots 7 (see Fig. 2). These slots are carefully made and occupy the same relative positions in the respective flanges of the angle-bars for all the plates so that when the plates `are combined by bringing their edges together the flanges 4 of the angle-bars adjacent these edges will also be brought together to abut one another f and the slots 7 therein will coincide.

Attached to each of the flanges 3 of the angle-bars on all four sides of the. respective plates and just adjacent one of the slots 7 therein are fasteningsS. Each of these fastenings has a base plate 9 riveted or otherwise tixedly secured to the flange 3 of the angle-bar. Pivotally secured to the base plate 9 by a pin 10 is a clamping member 11 having a body 12 and jaw 13 carried by the body. Each of the clamping members 11 is arranged and operated to have a pivotal action with relation to the pin 10 by which the member may be turned so that the jaw 13 thereof will pass through the slots of abutting flanges 4 of adjacent plates and the edge 15 of the jaw encounter the inner ends 14e of these slots'. Each of the clamping members is also arranged and operated to then have a drawing movement relative to the pin 10 by which the portion or edge 16 of the jaw is made to draw in x f lest the abutting flange of the plate adnr that to which the member is secured, the jaw then acting to bind the two flanges and. 'filetes securely together, and in which position the jaw is positively retained until released.

For operating the clamping member 11 there is provided a lever 17 having an oper-v ating arm 18 and a power 'arm or head 19.

The lever is pivotally secured to the base plate 9 by the pin 10 which passes through the clamping member 11 and with relation to which said member has movement as aforesaid. The lever is also so arranged that its power arm or head will lie outside and adjacent the body 12 of the clamping member to frictionally engage the same by which this member and the head of the lever will turn together as the lever is pivotally' turned. The power arm or head of the lever is itself in the nature of 'a plate so as to present a large friction-bearing surface against the clamping member so that these parts will readily turn together as 'the lever is turned. i

Projecting from the body 12 of the clamping member` is a pin 2O which extends".

vtion in which the lever is turned. This drawing movement of the clamping member is possible by reason of a slot 2'2 formed in the body of the member through which the pin 10 extends. The clamping member is accordingly capable of drawing by or over the pin l0 and is guided during such movement by it. after the lever has drawn in the clamping member this member cannot be turned back or pivotally reversed by the turning of the lever until by a reverse movement of the 'lever the clamping memberv hasbeen moved out to its normal position when a reverse pivotal movement of the clamping member and jaw carried by it is effected as the lever is further reversely turned. This is accomplished by aflixing to the base plate 9 a pin 23 which works within an angular'slot 24 formed in the body of the clamping member. The disposition and arrangement of this' pin and slot are such that the portion 25 of the slot will permit 'such pivotal turning ofthe clamping member by the lever as may be necessary', the pin 23 simply running in thisl portion of the slot as the clamping member is turned. When, however, the clamping member has been turned to a position where the inward drawing action is started, then the clamping member becomes so moved thatthe pin 23 will enter a portion 26 of the slot. 24 and thereby prevent a reverse turning of the. clamping member until the pin 23 has been released from this portion of the slot, obtained by moving the clamping member outwardly to its normal Thelfastening is also such that mmm '1li le: ufunmplshed En" the lever un nl' @fumar www trui wrm;

x Y .lr alim? ghi.

LAl tlrl ;;l=- l @s will 'llw lah-lening@ am, l. llrnsj; tlwy l'lxgvel fumiroprr [mi llana by l@ prnpor Coll lll-frm@ lwiswfn lllr ljizwl'rl. llas@ llmmgll wllll tlw Alle rf. pfw'lrsr lxivz'llngb are adaptyrwjfgv ,i rl or mms K Y plulvf luilrillglf" :xmllng tlw jaws l 0l' the v lmtlnlly du? Smm width ll which l" xj extcnll so :v fwclg of' ille jaws through, alllmrm plantes 1s nulllrlfill to ,lnt: ruin propos :slllmnwm as .mlr pruj ln order that the are)` wally Unter the sslola tlm: sloth ln.- mmlv wlcler than tlm jnw at tlw y muy; lmt gradually narrowing Loimm' @mls 14 here ll 'width @Enig ls substantially the @lum as flint, The preferred form of 'the :lm-bl, cllurly Shown in lflg. 2, mi lt will be sen that the Wide curls Hlm@ am formed with lnclllwd Cdgvs mv: rml; nl which .nwrgr xslfyf ille uurpm'wm nl tlm slots uml lll@ walter smh lul www:

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vided means of connection which can be removed from the dried structure without injuring it in any wa)v and possessing also other advantages as will be explained.

By reference to Fig. f5 it will be oliserved that 2T and 2S represent. respectively, adjacent spaced walls made by the assembling of units or plates as above described. Between these walls l'or spacing the same is placed a series of what ma)v be termed separators 2U. These separators are made of different lengths depending upon the required degree of separation of the walls and consequent thickness of the formed concretev structure. The separators are made of concrete or of the saine material ot' which the concrete structure is made and are preferably angularly formed as shown in order that they 1na v become embedded and wedged into the concrete structure when dried to eliminate any possibilit)Y of their endwise displacement. the intention being that the separators shall be left in the concrete structure and become as it were an integral part thereof. Each of the separator-s has an opening or hole extending longitudinally through it. I prefer that such number of separators be employed that there shall be a separator between opposite spaced sets of units or plates of those forming the respective walls. Accordingly each plate is rovided with a hole or openingr in it w rich will be in alinenient with the hole or open ing through the Separator. the plates in the adjacent walls accordingljv having such precise order of arrangement that the holes preformed therein will he in alinement with one another and with the holes through the separators.

yExtending through the holes in the respective plates and also through the openings in the space blocks. arranged in aline ment with these holes. are a series of con necting rodsl 30. which act to hold the walls in fixed position as follows 1W lach of these rods is of considerable length: in fact. of such length that when the walls are most widel)Y spaced from ene another. according to the range ot spaced adjustment provided for. the ends of thiI rods will project beyond the outer sides of theadjneent plates or walls which they eonnect. The rod notched for some considerable distance away from earh of its resjiieetive ends pro viding a series of teeth 31. llach of these teeth is provided with an inclined edge 562. Fixed to each plate just adjacent to the opening therein through which the rod 3f) extends is a fastening lf. liach of these fastenings has a base plate i-l fixed to the exterior surface ot' the plate. Pivotally se cured to this plate a lever 35 having an operating arm it? and a worhing arm or head 37. This working head of the level' is in the nature of a cam having an inclined outer edge 38 which, when the lever is turned, is adapted to engage the edges 3Q 0f any one of the teeth 31 depending upon the spaced adjustment of the two walls. The cani fastenings upon the separate plates or wallsl are reversely arranged and accordingly draw against the teeth of the connecting bar in reverse directions and with the eti'ect that as the teeth at opposite ends or parts of the bar resist the action of the cams the resultant action is such as to press the plates to which the cams are secured hard against the ends of the separators, thereby holding the respective walls securely in place. After the concrete structure has become dried the connecting rods may be taken out simply b v reversing the levers 35 when the cams are withdrawn from engagement with the teeth of the rod leaving the separators in the molded structure, and in this connection it is especially to be observed that by reason of the initial formation of the separators. which iiltimately form a part ot' the complete concrete structure, and the fact that the rods 30 pass loosely there through. the removal of the rods is obtained without injurjv to the structure. Therel will of course be an opening left through each of the separators. These openings, however, can be filled or plugged as is well known to those. skilled in the art. The openings. however.v laefore filling provide a verv convenient means by which a platform or scaffolding nia)v be secured to the molded structure. or wooden plugs may be inserted in the holes on the inner side of the structure to which furring strips or linish may be attached. ln this connection it may be observed that the separators are so re tained that they may have any desired prearrangement: or such pre-,arrangement as to enable them to be used as bases to which tari-ing strips or the like may be convenienti)v attached.

Having thus` fully described my invention. l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot' the l'nited Statess l. ln .i forni for concrete structures, the fmnliiinition with a plurality of assembled plates. of leviees arranged on Oppositiely aminer pairs for drawing said plates into alined position longzitudinaly and for securiner the same together in said position.

2. ln a form for concrete structures. the combination with a plurality of assembled plates. of means for drawing said plates into alined position both transversely and longitudinally and for securing the same in said position.

3. In a form for concrete structures. the combination with a plurality of assembled plates provided with flanges on their backs adjacent the edges thereof. said flanges havirg longitudinally extending slots cuttherein, of means cooperating with sai-d slots lll .for drawing said plates info alined position lon,\'gimdirmlly and for Clamping together the abutting flanges of adjacent. plates.

4. ln a form for concrete structures, the combination with n plurality of assembled plaies px'ovided with flanges having longi- Mulinally vxtending slots, oi devices for drawing Suid plates into ulined position iongitudinnlly and for securing the Same togather in said position, said dwos o0' l@ operating with the ends of* said'islots sind being arranged 1n oppositely operating pau-s.

GEORGE N. MESERVE.

W'tnesses:

JOHN E. R. HAYES, JAMES J. KENNEALLY. 

